Clone Knives

It's not an issue I've come to a conclusion on. Like you say, is a different companies Bowie, or Stockman pattern a "counterfeit".

Then you have real counterfeiting as in the case of the hard drive mentioned above.

All I've concluded so far myself is that it is not a simple black and white issue. There are clear cut examples of both sides of the question and a whole lot of grey area.
 
Admittedly, I have been interested in clones for the sheer fact I want to see how good they are, but the moral side of me prevents me from looking deeper into them. I want to get myself quality product, and it is sometimes convincing to get a clone strider (I still have no idea where people even get these things), but I feel like the real thing would be so much better.
 
In my case, the only reason I was willing to look into a clone was because the company that holds the manufacturer's agreement to produce licensed versions of its knives refused (and continues to refuse) to produce a licensed version of the knife I want. So why don't I just buy an original, you ask? Because I refuse to pay nearly twice as much on the secondary market as the manufacturer says the knife is worth. The day the licensee manufactures a version of the knife I want (and I don't expect that to happen anytime soon), I'll buy the licensed version and drop my clone off the end of a pier. Until then, however, you don't want to know how good my clone is and how satisfied I am with it. Or maybe you do. ;)

PS: In case some of you think I bought a clone so that I could pretend to be something I'm not, a quick glance at my collection will convince you otherwise.
 
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I'd say there's justification to be found in the otherwise-not-feasibly-available scenario. I bought clones of some of the more expensive production knives just to see if I cared for the ergonomics, but found that the fit and finish was sub-par. I might make an exception to that if I found a extremely well-made Direware Solo clone - hipocracy be damned.
 
RedLynx said:
Are you suggesting you don't like your wife enough to clone her, sir?
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I'd clone my wife. Two nurse practitioners are better than one :p

... And just like she'd never wear a fake purse, fake gear hasn't been an option for me. Can't knock em though, something for everyone.

- I did buy a fake Rolex on a whim while on holiday in Thailand. It looks great, but it doesn't give me the satisfaction I get from the real deal.
 
Comeuppance said:
I'd say there's justification to be found in the otherwise-not-feasibly-available scenario. I bought clones of some of the more expensive production knives just to see if I cared for the ergonomics, but found that the fit and finish was sub-par. I might make an exception to that if I found a extremely well-made Direware Solo clone - hipocracy be damned.
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There's definitely more risk involved in buying clones than in buying name brands. But if you're careful and you do a LOT of research, you can find some clones that are actually worth purchasing. Having said that, I'm not advocating that anyone purchase a clone. There's obviously a moral imperative against doing so, an imperative some people are willing to violate and some are not. For me it took a unique set of circumstances to drive me to the decision to buy a clone (my one and only, by the way). And fortunately I ended up with a really nice one. Am I satisfied with my purchase? Yes, on a number of different levels. Would I ever represent the clone as being an original? Of course not. In fact, I made sure to buy one that doesn't contain the original manufacturer's markings. Do I think the circumstances that led me to buy a clone are likely to arise again? No, probably not.
 
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Stays Sharp said:
I'd clone my wife. Two nurse practitioners are better than one :p

... And just like she'd never wear a fake purse, fake gear hasn't been an option for me. Can't knock em though, something for everyone.

- I did buy a fake Rolex on a whim while on holiday in Thailand. It looks great, but it doesn't give me the satisfaction I get from the real deal.
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At least you know the clones will probably get along really well.

Downside: They'll both be against you in any argument where you disagree with one of them.

Upside: I can't post in this forum but you can guess.
 
bld522 said:
There's definitely more risk involved in buying clones than in buying name brands. But if you're careful and you do a LOT of research, you can find some clones that are actually worth purchasing. Having said that, I'm not advocating that anyone purchase a clone. There's obviously a moral imperative against doing so, an imperative some people are willing to violate and some are not. For me it took a unique set of circumstances to drive me to the decision to buy a clone (my one and only, by the way). And fortunately I ended up with a really nice one. Am I satisfied with my purchase? Yes, on a number of different levels. Would I ever represent the clone as being an original? Of course not. In fact, I made sure to buy one that doesn't contain the original manufacturer's markings. Do I think the circumstances that led me to buy a clone are likely to arise again? No, probably not.
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I think it is okay. Look at Generic products at Wally World. You can buy their brand or the real deal for more money. Same thing with knives. If the Company over prices thier knives don't be surprised if consumers save some by buying the Generic brand. :)
 
Except that in my case, the company DIDN'T overprice its knives . . . the secondary market did. I would GLADLY have paid the manufacturer's suggested retail price for the product I wanted to buy, however that was all but impossible for an ordinary, God-fearing, tax-paying, US citizen like me. With no licensed alternative available, I was left to either buy a clone or pay insane secondary market prices for an original. I looked at the value proposition and chose to buy the clone. And I'm glad I did.

PS: You should see the Steigerwalt custom I bought with the savings. :drool: :)
 
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I say spend your money anyway you want. Just be ready to take your lumps when they happen.
 
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CS Trail Master clone, copy, forgery, whatever and @ $20.00 the best knife I own, better than the ESEE 4 that cost five times as much that I can't sharpen. I sharpened the TM copy with a file when I put the recurve on it and then hit it with sandpaper. It shaved and still shaves after chopping cedar limbs with it. The $100.00 ESEE sucks by comparison and should be the one that costs $20.00 , too thick, heavy, clunky, takes an edge and loses it after running your thumb over it to check the sharpness. Won't even pass the rubber band test while the TM clone cut every rubber band in at least one piece after chopping cedar.
 
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